LeBron James has made history yet again by finishing the 2023-24 NBA regular season with averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. LeBron became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points per game in 20 different seasons by doing so, and he is well clear of the chasing pack.
Most Seasons Averaging 25+ Points Per Game
1. LeBron James - 20
2. Kevin Durant - 15
T3. Michael Jordan - 12
T3. Kobe Bryant - 12
T3. Karl Malone - 12
6. Jerry West - 11
T7. Shaquille O'Neal - 10
T7. Allen Iverson - 10
T7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 10
T7. Dominique Wilkins - 10
I don't see 35-year-old Kevin Durant having five more seasons in which he averages at least 25 points per game. So, that record is going to be beyond reach for a very long time at least.
There's also a good chance that LeBron will average over 25 points next season too, as the 39-year-old isn't showing signs of slowing down just yet. James' scoring feats are often minimalized, with his critics stating it is all down to longevity, but no one in NBA history has even come close to scoring at such a high level on such a consistent basis.
The only time in his career that LeBron failed to average at least 25 points per game was his rookie season, in which he averaged 20.9 points. It has been 20 consecutive seasons in which you can pencil him in for at least 25 points a night, which is ridiculous.
LeBron James Had A Historic Outing Against The Pelicans
LeBron also made history with his performance against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The 20-time All-Star had 28 points, 11 rebounds, 17 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block in the contest, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-108 win. In the process, James became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 15+ assists, and 5+ steals in a game, and he reacted to that accomplishment on Instagram.
There are indeed no ceilings when it comes to LeBron. I think some still don't realize just how incredible it is that he is able to deliver performances like these at this stage of his career. We are unlikely to ever see anything like this ever again.
LeBron ensured the Lakers finished with the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record with this win. They'll now face the Pelicans again in the NBA Play-In Tournament and are favorites to get the win and face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
It was, of course, the Nuggets, who ended the Lakers' 2022-23 season by sweeping them in the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers also lost all three regular-season meetings between these sides this season and have lost eight in a row in total to them now. If the two teams do meet again, the Nuggets would be the clear favorites, and rightly so.
LeBron has made a career out of defying the odds, however, so I wouldn't completely write off the Lakers in that scenario. James also stated he feels better about the playoffs this year as compared to the last. It will be interesting to see just how far they manage to go this time around.
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